Contact Time – What Is It, And Why Does It Matter?

The duties of a janitorial team in commercial bathrooms go much deeper than simply cleaning toilet bowls and wiping down counters. Team members must juggle quickly completing their tasks and achieving the goal of appropriately cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

The challenge comes in when chemicals call for a specific “contact time” or “dwell time” to achieve the desired results.

Contact time or dwell time (often used interchangeably in janitorial circles) refers to the amount of time needed for a chemical to do its job properly, whether that is reaching a specific kill-rate or emulsifying a sealant or finish. It would be nice if a bathroom could be effectively cleaned with a spray-and-wipe approach, but to properly clean and sanitize surfaces, most applications require 10 minutes or more contact time to kill bacteria and germs. Not allowing for the appropriate contact time will reduce the number of bacteria that are killed. This extra time can be a challenge for janitorial staff, especially when cleaning is done during operation hours, but it is an essential step in a cleaning schedule. Be mindful of contact time when scheduling janitorial staff tasks.